Penalty king Faulkner fires Trim Celtic to Premier title
They needed at least a draw but in the end they got much more than that. They got a 4-0 victory that ensures they are NEFL Premier champions for 2022.
One point would have done Trim Celtic in this their penultimate league fixture of their Premier campaign but they got all three - and in a most unusual way too. They scored not one, not two but THREE goals from penalties, each spot kick taken with unerring accuracy by Brian Faulkner.
For some time now Faulkner has been one of Trim Celtic's most lethal, most consistent strikers but he would never have expected to add to his goal tally in the way he did, by scoring three from the penalty spot.
Trim Celtic's other goal was also somewhat unorthodox too, an OG that underlined how on this misty night - when a large number of people showed up at Claremont Stadium - events conspired against the home side. They needed a win to sustain their own slim title title ambitions. Such hopes were cruelly squashed.
Little went right for Parkvilla, their night of misery underlined in the way they had centre-back Danny Doggett red-carded on 28 minutes after Trim Celtic were awarded their second penalty. Some of Parkvilla's supporters and players were unhappy because they felt at least one of Trim Celtic's players was offside in the lead up to the goal. Referee Daryl Carolan was firm in his convictions, brave too - and he pointed to the spot.
Urged on by a large contingent of travelling support Trim Celtic would have hoped for a bright start - and they certainly got that. In the second minute Faulkner was brought down in the box. He dusted himself off and took the penalty, firmly despatching the ball high to the net.
For the second spot kick (awarded after a foul on Williams) Faulkner hit it low. Home 'keeper Euan Niven got a hand to the ball but couldn't keep it out. Goal three arrived soon after. Williams whipped over a cross into the Parkvilla goalmouth. Almighty, frantic scramble ensued. A defender sought to clear. Instead the ball rebounded off another player in the crowded box and rolled into the net. 3-0 at the break.
In the first minute of the second-half history repeated itself. Faulkner was brought down in the box. The same player despatched the ball with calm assurance. Faulkner also hit the post at one stage while Ger Murray and Luke Mahon were both denied by brilliant Niven saves. Callum Ennis and Sean Fitzgerald also threatened.
Spirited Parkvilla generated chances of their own. Jamie Blake shot wide when in a good position and later had a header cleared off the line. A skilful Ethan Rathborne run late on ended with him fizzing the ball just over but Trim Celtic 'keeper Aaron Ryan didn't have much to do during the course of the evening.
It was a sweet evening for Trim Celtic. An evening when the title was secured by Robbie Horgan and his troops - although not by the way they, or anyone else, would have expected.
Parkvilla - Euan Niven; Sean Lally, Ethan Rathborne, Chris O'Neill, Danny Doggett, Chris Kennedy, Gary Gibney, Ryan Murphy, Jamie Blake, Eoghan Heavey, Cian Ratty. Subs - Jack Murray for Heavey 34 mins, Lee Williamson for Lally half-time, Tommy Buchanan for Murphy 64m, Sean Kane for Gibney 72m, Tristan O'Neill for Ratty 79m.
Trim Celtic - Aaron Ryan; Mark Leavy, James Goggins, Ger Murray, Conor McKenna, Sean Fitzgerald , Conor Walsh, Callum Ennis, Aaron Williams, Brian Faulkner, Ciaran O'Connell. Subs - Dean Courtney for Faulkner, Anto Moran for Goggins both 57 mins, Eoin O'Connell for Fitzgerald 65m, Luke Mahon for Williams 72m, Wesley Gibbons for Ennis 80m.
Referee - Daryl Carolan; assistants - Conor Harkin, Sarah Dyas (all Louth Branch).